(The following article first appeared in the November 7, 2002 Commonwealth Journal, Vol. 37, No. 267 and was written by Jeff Neal)

Her first word after learning to speak for a second time, was simple.

“Home.”

Julia Lovins has endured four open heart surgeries in her 9 years to battle Ivemark syndrome, a rare disorder that affects the internal organs. Julia was born without a spleen and with severe cardiac disorders.

Most children born with Ivemark syndrome do not live past infancy. Julia has beaten the odds.

“Julia is my little survivor,” says Julia’s mother, Kris Foster.

Julia Lovins was born June 15, 1993. Almost immediately, Julia was defined a “blue baby” – one who needed oxygen. But soon doctors discovered this case wasn’t that simple.

“They realized that something was wrong, and they airlifted her to (the University of Kentucky Medical Center),” Foster said. “Once she was there, she was diagnosed with Ivemark syndrome. Her heart was on the opposite side, and she had no spleen.”

Ivemark is very rare – only one in 10,000 children are born with it. When Julia was just two days old, she had her first surgery, which created a shunt to act as an artery to get oxygen from the heart to the lungs.

At one year, Julia had a second surgery. At three-and-a-half, a third operation began work to stabilize her heart.

Then, on July 3, Julia traveled to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, for a fourth – and perhaps final – surgery. This time, doctors re-routed blood flow from the heart into the lungs.

But there also was a complication. Julia suffered a stroke following the surgery, and was unable to even speak. She stayed in Cleveland for 37 days.

There was fear that Julia might never be the same again – but last week, she was riding her bicycle and playing like a normal little girl. Although her speech is still effected somewhat by the stroke, she is quickly bouncing back.

Once again, Kris Foster’s “little survivor” had persevered.

“I’m glad to be home,” said Julia last week. “Me and my mom have already got my school supplies.”

Julia is now homebound, but will start back at Southern Elementary in the second semester.

“The stroke has slowed her down a little bit,” Foster said. “But she’s really anxious to get back to school.”

Julia was the fourth recipient of funding from the Brian Littrell Surgical Assistance Fund. Littrell is a Lexington, Ky., native and a member of the Backstreet Boys.

Littrell suffered with a heart ailment as a child and was treated at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington. In 1998, Littrell started the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids program designed to help cardiac patients such as Julia.

On Sept. 6, Julia met Littrell’s mother, Jackie, and got a personal phone call from Brian himself.

“His mom was pretty nice,” Julia said. “She was a little goofy.”

Foster said her daughter was a little bashful when she got the call from Brian.

“She was shy…he sang “As Long As You Love Me,” to her…that’s one of her favorite Backstreet Boys songs,” Foster said.

“I’ve been a big Backstreet Boys fan for a long time,” Julia said. “He was very nice. He talked about my surgery, and he told me about his surgery.

“Brian Littrell is doing a great thing with this fund,” Kris Foster said. “It helped us out with food, a place to stay and gas cards to get us back and forth.”

The prognosis for Julia is good – but guarded.

“They can’t tell me this is definitely the final surgery,” Foster said. “But everything is going well and it could be the last one – that’s what we’re hoping for.”

Dear Brandon,

We would like to thank you for the t-shirt and information you sent Nathan after his heart surgery. He is five years old and a big fan of Brian and the Backstreet Boys. Nathan was born with several major heart defects. He had a ventricular septal defect, an atrial septal defect, transposed great arteries, interrupted aortic arch, a bad pulmonary valve, and a leaky aortic valve. When he was five days old, Nathan was flown to the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor Michigan where Doctor Bove corrected the ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, the transposed great arteries, and the interrupted aortic arch. Nathan was in the hospital for three weeks. For two of those three weeks he was on a respirator and we were unable to hold him.

Due to complications with donated blood, Nathan’s gall bladder was removed at three months old. At eight months old, Nathan had a porcine pulmonary valve inserted into his heart. In July of 2002, Doctor Duncan of Children’s Hospital in Omaha removed Nathan’s porcine valve and his pulmonary valve. This was Nathan’s third heart surgery and his fourth surgery overall.

Although Nathan has had many heart surgeries, he is a very active child. In fact, he was playing soccer just seven weeks after his last surgery. He recently learned to ride his bike with no training wheels. Nathan’s other hobbies include singing and playing basketball.

I am including a picture of Nathan wearing his autographed Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids t-shirt. He loves wearing his t-shirt and showing it to his friends. It helped Nathan to know that Brian also had heart surgery, since Nathan didn’t know of any other boys who had gone through what he’s been through. Thanks again for the information and the t-shirt. I would also like to thank you for letting children with heart problems know that they to can be active like other children.

Sincerely,

Nathan, Tony and Jan

I just found your web sight browsing the net, and this is a great idea. I am almost 19 and I have had two open-heart surgeries so far. The first when I was three and the second when I was ten. Many people either don’t know or don’t care about their health. I was born with problems that couldn’t be helped. But I see people all the time that could very easily get rid of half of their health problems if they would just eat better and exercise. It’s so nice to have people, especially famous people, reaching out to little kids. I know for a fact kids will listen to their favorite stars, and having a star trying to get kids aware of their health is such a good idea. Having had two open-heart surgeries myself, I know how important it is to take care of myself. It’s so great to see celebrities trying to get others to realize how important it really is. Your web site encouraged me to be more health conscious when it comes to my heart and the health problems that I have. I think your web site is doing the same for many other people.

Thanks for your time and your encouragement.

Jessica

Healthy Heart Club,

Hello, I’m Andrew from St. Louis, MO and I am overweight. Reading about your foundation helped me realize that I really want to get my life in order. I know that I don’t have a major heart problem, but with my weight, I know I have one somewhat. Your founder, Brian Littrell, means a lot to me for who he is and what he stands for. He is a wonderfully talented person and I’ve been a Backstreet Boys’ fan since fourth grade. Recently it hit me that if I don’t loose weight, I’ll die and never meet Brian. If you ever hear from him, please tell him thank you for me. His club is wonderful for helping young people. The Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids is awesome and making miracles occur each day.

Thanks,

Andrew

Dear Brian,

My name is Karina and I am fifteen. I live in Edmonton but I'm originally from Russia. I moved to Canada about two years ago. I just want to say "thank you" for everything that you've done for me. My life would never be the same without you.

I have some very serious health problems. I almost gave up on myself but when I read your biography, and what you've been through in your life, I decided to work harder and maybe someday my dream will come true like yours did. I've always looked up to you and consider you my role model. You are great!

I am also a huge BSB fan and admire them for all of the hard work they do. I'm so glad they are back together. You guys rock!

With love and respect,

Karina

Dear Brandon and Mrs. Jackie Littrell,

I just found out about the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids® new newsletter, “The Heartbeat!” I was thrilled when I opened up to read it and was informed about all of the great accomplishments that the club has reached. I was also happy to see Mrs. Littrell wrote it. You, along with Brandon, work so hard to make this club what it is today and I just wanted to inform you that you are doing an amazing job.

I love the fact that after I make a donation I know that a few days later a letter or a pamphlet for the foundation will arrive in my mailbox. I am also happy to donate to Brian’s foundation; it’s nice to know that my donation will be used to help a sick child in need. I made a promise to myself that I would donate at least a little each month and this month is no different.

I wish you both, Brian and the children the best of luck. I know Brian’s foundation is only on its way to reach bigger goals then it has already and I am so happy to be a part of the process by my donations. God bless you both.

Sincerely,

Lorin

Dear Brian:

I celebrate you for your efforts to help children with heart disease. I was born in 1947 with a defect of the pulmonary valve. At the time, most children with a serious heart defect had a death sentence not a future. I would not have survived past the age of 12. Thanks to the research and dedication of the medical professionals and the generosity of the "Heart Fund" now known as the American Heart Association, I have had a wonderful full life. I look upon every day as a gift. I first became aware of you as a huge fan of your group. I picked you out among the other beautiful members of your group...as "my favorite"...I just felt connected with you more than the others for some reason...then when I found out that you were stricken with heart disease and you had to have surgery...I followed with extremely keen interest.

God bless you and keep you. You are here for a very special reason. I will contribute to your cause from now on...I always give as much as I can afford to the AHA...as they funded my surgery and gave me the gift of life. I have endeavored to be worthy of God's grace for the chance he has given me. You make a big difference...don't ever doubt your efforts.

Warmest regards,

Nancy

Dear Mr. Littrell,

I am writing to ask a favor of you on behalf of my son, Titus D. Walker, who will turn 1 year old on the Fourth of July. I am requesting the honor of your help in a special collection of Birthday greetings, well wishes, words of wisdom and prayers from those most admired by our family, coming from all walks of life, to present to Titus. You have established an enormous fan base as a pop star, singer and dancer. You are a great role model for all young kids and, most importantly, through the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids® you have given our family hope and inspiration. When Titus was born with the heart disease aortic stenosis we feared he would never have a “normal” active life. Our immediate response was to keep him away from anything that looked remotely dangerous or vigorous. Your story and foundation have taught us that, because of his CHD, Titus should strive to be as active and physically fit as possible. You are such a positive image and influence we can use to encourage Titus that his disease doesn’t have to limit him from fulfilling his dreams. We also want to applaud and thank you for your strong anti-smoking campaign; it is imperative that Titus never develops such habits and once again you exemplify a healthy lifestyle! Your greeting, in any form you see fit, would be a treasure Titus could look to for inspiration and as a reminder of those admirable qualities you possess and we respect. Thank you for your time, consideration, and congratulations on all your continued success.

Sincerely,

Melissa

For most of us, music is best described as casual entertainment. For Jana, however, the Backstreet Boys and their music are a constant source of motivation and happiness while battling cerebral palsy.

Like many young woman her age, Jana fell in love with the Backstreet Boys upon first hearing their music. She has all of their Cds and was lucky enough to receive a t-shirt from Brian, her favorite Backstreet Boy, while attending one of their concerts. Unlike most girls, Jana was born with cerebral palsy. Jana struggles each day to perform the activities that many of us take for granted. But with the Backstreet Boys always playing in the background, Jana works hard to overcome her physical obstacles.

Through all of the trials and tribulations of her life, Jana has persevered and bravely withstood them all. And for Jana, her love of Brian and the Backstreet Boys’ music is much more than casual fandom…It is a true source of motivation and happiness!

Brandon,

Thanks for your help!

Thanks for being a part of something like this. I'm a nurse and work in a cardiovascular intensive care unit. We take care of the patients who come from surgery on their hearts and it's shocking how little people really know about how to maintain some sort of health for their heart (nurses included). I think it's awesome that you are educating people (I'm sure parents hear what their kids learn) about how to not end up in my care. I know that it's one of my favorite parts of my day when I get to teach family members how to take care of themselves and their loved ones after they are out of my care. I've said it for years now. Education is what it's all about.

Keep up the great work,

Angie (RN)